During a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas in January 2023, I got to try its North Star ride for the first time. The ride promised some great views as a capsule hooked to a crane lifts you 300 feet above the ocean. The capsule has some kind of clear substance all around it (I don't think it was glass) that made it easy to see out of.
I found before I boarded my turn on the North Star (you have to get a set ride time) that Royal Caribbean offers 2 options: pay and free. On the pay ride, you shell out $19 and get to go up over the open ocean for a longer ride than you would if you did the free option. Also, with the pay option, the capsule will go out past the sides of the ship because you're at sea. On the free option, it doesn't because you're in port.
I went with the free option and got to go up while in port at Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The views were fabulous. I could see the various cruise ships around the Anthem including Grandeur of the Seas which I'd sailed on before. Also, I could see all the way to Philipsburg which was great. I think the ride lasted maybe 15 minutes. There was a Royal Caribbean person in the capsule with our group as well as someone at the entrance to the ride. I felt the ride was very safe.
Overall, I was very pleased with the ride though I don't understand why you would want to go up in it while at sea when all you're going to see is ocean and maybe some nice views of the ship. I would prefer to go on North Star while in port. I will give the ride 2 thumbs up as it produced great views and was free in my case. Happy Viewing and Cruising All!
